Snakes out and about

Recent temperatures have been more than 10 degrees above average, prompting total fire bans and dry spells and increasing the danger of the reptiles.

It also presents a higher concern for dogs out along spots near water and along the Murray River.

Doctor Leanne Bailey, of the Albury Family Vet Centre, said the conditions meant dog owners needed to be vigilant when outside.

“Snakes usually want to be near the water, so be on guard near the river and any source of water,” she said.

“They should be on a lead if you want to walk them in warmer weather.”

Dr Bailey said waiting to get a pet to hospital if an owner suspected a snake bite would make treatment harder.

“If you suspect a snake bite get to a vet as soon as you can,” she said.

“A lot of people think the dog will recover after it first collapses.

“If they collapse again before they receive the antivenom their chances are much further down.”

Dr Bailey said keeping animals calm was crucial if they sustained a bite.

“The calmer the animal is, the slower the venom will move,” she said.

“You can get lucky with a dry bite but if they’ve been bitten they will usually die without antivenom.”

Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning senior biodiversity officer Glen Johnson said people needed to be more aware after an abrupt swing from the cold weather.

“We usually don’t have such a hot time in October,” he said.

“This is the time snakes come out to breed and feed, just like us they want food and shelter.”

Mr Johnson said snakes generally steered clear of open land.

“Snakes are more likely to be in long grass where there’s lots of nettle and wood,” he said.

“Keeping lawns short and trying not to have grain lying around can minimise the potential for mice and rats.”

Snake catcher Peter Doherty said he had already received plenty of calls to retrieve the reptiles.

“I’ve had 20 already including a couple inside buildings. We had 240 calls last year.”